New Experiences

I know I'm lame, but yesterday I had a new experience. Valvoline Instant Oil Change. Yesterday was my first time going to one of those quickie places. Last time I got it done at the shop because I had to get some other work done on it, and before that my brother did it. It was an interesting experience. I stayed in the car and they did their job and then let me know I may need a new battery soon, which I kinda knew from the way my car has been starting. Then I drove away. The best part of it was the Speedy Rewards I got. 1000 points for an oil change, sweet deal! I just recently became a participant in the Speedy Rewards program. The two most convenient (and only) stations between my house and work are Speedways, so I figured I better get all I can from them... anyways, my car seems happier now, aside from the extensive rear end and muffler damage... now I just need to go to Discount Tire soon and get two new tires put on. Then I will be all set.

I like it when I make food and upon being tasted by other people I am asked if I had a recipe. HaHa what's a recipe? Basicly I made lasagna without the lasagna noodles. I used whole wheat penne because that, and elbow macaroni, is all I have on hand at the moment since I refuse to go shopping. I made a basic pasta sauce. A very simple one. I had about a half pound of ground beef leftover in the freezer that I browned up. Add some water and a couple long squirts of tomato paste and a can of tomato sauce. Then some spices. Pretty much all I had in the cupboard except pumpkin pie spice. Well, not really... And you gotta have the ricotta. I figured a half a tub would be good, so I added an egg and some parmesan. Not the grated stuff, the shredded. Some salt and more cheese. Never can have too much cheese if you ask me. And then the simple layering process begins. Mix the pasta in with the sauce. I probably cooked up 1/3 of the box of penne. Put half in pan. I used a glass pan maybe 6X8 or something close to it. Cover with all of ricotta and some more shredded mozarella cheese. then pour on the rest of the pasta and sauce. Cover with an unhealthy dose of cheese and bake. 350 F is always safe, but don't ask me how long I cooked if for...I changed tv channels in the middle, so I forget how long it was in there, but basicly you want the eggs to cook in the ricotta and the cheese on top to be deliciously melted. If it doesn't taste good, spice it up a little...or add more cheese. Recipe works well with sausage or no meat at all. It lacks flavor and heartiness without meat, but sometimes you just don't have it on hand... as for the tomato sauce, everyone should always have this in their pantry. It's a very versatile ingredient. It goes with everything. You could make enchiladas, lasagne, chili, goulash and basicly anything with pasta, meat or veggies... just add things you think would taste good then add some spice. Add some molasses and liquid smoke for a barbeque type sauce. Anything goes. I just don't recomment fruit.

Tomorrow is Friday, and for that I am grateful. The week went by faster than I thought. And I have some amazing leftovers for lunch tomorrow!